Thermostatically controlled switch



I Oct. 11, 1932. c, RAYFlELD 1,881,950

THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED SWITCH Original Filed July 26, 1928 Fatented Oct 11, 1

UNITED sT rss assassin OF CHIGAGQ, HQLDTQES, A GGIRPQBATIOH F 217513125918 I THEBKGQTATIGrMLY @QHTROLLE SWITGE Application filed July 28 19% Trio. 52955388. Renewed ii'annary 18, 151 32.

My present invention relates to thermo statically controlled devices, and more an ticularly to a thermostatically contro lled switch.

An object of my invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive thermostatically operated electrical switch.

Another. object of the invention is pro vide a thermostatically controlled electric switch :wherein the thermostat itseli is uti lized as a mounting for the switch.

Other objects and advantages of my vention will more fully appear from lowing detailed description taken in can tion with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a single embodiment thereof and in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a thermo statically operated switch embodying the features'of my invention, showing the switch in an open condition and illustrating it as being mounted inside of a container;

Figure 2 is a front view of the container shown in Figure 1 drawn on a reduced scale illustrating the container as applied to a wall and showing the iron mesh covering for the container;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on substantially the line ILL-III of 39 Figure-1 illustrating the details of the mounting for the switch, and

Figure 4 is another view partly insection of the mercury switch-shown in Figure 1 illustrating the switch in full lines as being me. closed position and showing in dotted lines the position of the switchwhen it is in an open condition.

In the drawing: Like reference characters designate similar parts throughout the several views. The reference character 10 designates generally a box-like container having its open side normally closed by a plate comprising a wire mesh screen designated by the reference character ,11.' .This screen or plate '11 is secured 'to the sides of the container 10 by means of screws 12 (Figure '2); The container is adapted to be suitably attached to a. wall 13 as shown in Figure 2. The rear side of the container 10 is provided with an opening 14 in which is anchored one end of an electrical conduit 15 through which extend electrical conductors 1 5 secured to terminals 17 on the fibre 18 of: the switch. This hase 18 is suitably chored to the hottom of the container and secured to it a bracket 19.

The vertical leg of this bracket 19 has secured to its upper extremity a stud 2i disposed concentric a clockspring-like coil thermostatic material designated generally by the reference character 20. The inner end of this thermostatic coil 20 extends 27. The me; try switch 25 comprises a glass tuhe 28 carried h resilient clips 29 formed integral with a base plate 381 h wardly extending 33. p

on a pin 32 mounted in of the bracket 24'. v

The base plate 30 the switch 25 is spaced a given distance from the top of the offset portion 26 and is designed to have either one of its ends to engage one of the studs 27v depending upon theposition of the thermostatic coil 20.

The adjustable studs 27 not only serve to limit the tilting movement or travel of the switch 25 but also serve as a means for determining the amount of movement of the coil necessary before the switch is tilted to either of its two positions. Obviously after the coil has moved the bracket 24 with its a predetermined degree, the switch 25 is brought into a position wherein it is free to tilt until it strikes .the other stud. This arrangement is desirable for the reason that it enables the sensitiveness of the device to be adjusted in accordance with the particular circumstances surrounding its use.

Extending into the ends of the glass tube 20 k of switch 25 are a pair of spaced electrical tube 28 when the switch is in its closed position. The two contacts 35 and 36 are connected by conductors 39 and 40 to the terminals 17 on the fibre base 18.

The operation of my novel swltch construction is briefly as follows. -When the thermostatic coil 20 is in its normal position the mercury tube 28 is disposed in the position shown in Figure 1 and in the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 4. Obviously when the tube is in this position the switch is open due to the fact that the contacts 35 and 36 are not connected by the mercury 37 within the tube.

Now as the coil heats up due to an increase in the temperature of the atmosphere surrounding the coil, the coil rotates in a clockwise direction (Figure 1) thereby causing the tube 28 to be moved to the position shown in full lines in Figure 4. When the tube is in this position the electrical contacts 35 and 36 are connected by the mercury 37 in the tube and as a result the switch is closed.

In conclusion it is to be noted that to the best of my knowledge I am the first in the thermostatic switch art to provide a thermostatic device wherein the thermostatic element itself is utilized as a mounting for the switch. For that reason it is to be understood that although I have illustrated and described in detail the preferred form of my invention, the invention is not to be thus limited butonly in so far as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination, an electrical switch, a thermostat for operating the same, a mounting for the switch disposed wholly on the extreme outer and free end of said thermostat so as to enable the switch to be tilted by gravity upon a predetermined movement of the thermostat and an adjustable connection between the switch and the mounting for varying the action of the thermostat on the I switch.

2. In combination, a tiltable electric switch, a thermostat for operating the same, said switch being tiltable into closed and open positions by said thermostat, a mounting for the switch disposed wholly on the extreme outer and free end of said thermostat, and an adjustable connection connected to said mounting for varying the degree to which the switch is tilted by said thermostat in either of said positions.

3. In combination, an electrical switch, a coiled thermostat for operating the same, and a mounting for said switch disposed wholly on the top, outer and free end of said thermostat so as to enable the switch to be tilted by gravity upon a predetermined movement of the thermostat, said mounting including means for adjustin and varying the range of movement of sai switch.

4. In combination, a coiled thermostat, a mounting on the extreme outer and free end of said thermostat, a switch pivotallysecured to said mounting, and adjustable means including stops connected to said mounting for limiting the tilting movement of said switch by said thermostat into 'open and closed positions.

5. In combination, a coiled thermostat, a support to which the inner end of said coil is fixedly anchored, said coil being arranged so that its extreme outer and free end is disposed in the uppermost position and above the fixed end of the coil so as to enable the switch to be tilted by gravity upon a predetermined movement of the coil, and a switch operable by and mounted wholly on said free end of said coil.

6. In combination, a coiled thermostat shaped similar to a clock spring, a support to which the inner end of said coil is connected, said coil being arranged so that its extreme outer and free end is disposed at the top of said coil and above its fixed end, and a switch operable by and mounted wholly on said free end of said coil, said switch comprising a tube having contacts and a movable conductor therein and being tiltable into open and closed positions by said thermostat.

7. In combination, a coiled thermostat, a support to which the inner end of said coil is fixedly anchored, said coil being arranged so that its extreme outer and free end is disposed at the top of said coil and above its fixed end, a switch operable by and mounted wholly on the free end. of said coil, and an adjustable mounting between said switch and said free end of the coil for allowing the coil to snap the switch into open and closed positions.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook County,

Illinois.

CHARLES L. RAYFIELD. 

